Machine for forming hollow glassware



Feb. 21, SOUBIER 1,898,404

MACHINE FOR FORMING HOLLOW GLASSWARE Filed Oct. 51, 1929 4 Sheets-Shet 1 3 TIE 1 abbot mm Feb.- 21,

L. D.'SOUBIER MACHINE FOR FORMING HOLLOW GLAS SWARE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 31, 1929 gwoemtoz dbtomq Feb. 21, 1933. L. D. SOUBIER 1,898,404

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Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEONARD D. SOUBIER, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T OWENS-ILLINOIS GLASS COM- PANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO MACHINE FOR, FORMING HOLLOW GLASSWARE Application filed October 31, 1929. Serial No. 403,743.

The present invention relates to improvestationary, except for its opening and closing movements and its rotation with the machine, while the mold charge gathering unit is projected radially beyond the finishing mold at regular time intervals to gather charges of glass which are transformed into parisons and then transferred to the finishing mold.

Another object is to provide aconstruction wherein the finishing mold is held stationary in the sense above indicated, and a blank forming unit is designed for reciprocation along a vertically curved path between a position in which it may gather mold charges of molten glass and a second position in which these mold charges are transferred as parisons or blanks to the finishing mold. The path of movement of the blanks in approaching the transfer position is so curved that the general direction of the end of said path adjacent the transfer position with respect to the axis of the finishing molds is such that the blanks are moving in a path more nearly parallel with said axis than in machines embodying the general principles of the present disclosure. Thus, distortion of the blanks by throwing the body portions laterally and the end of the transfer movement, is avoided.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of one mold group constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation showing the mold group at the charge gathering station.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the mold group in position to finally expand the blank in the finishing mold.

Fig. 4 is an elevation with parts in section showing a mold group at the charge gathermg station.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation showing the parts positioned to finally expand the blank in the finishing mold. 1

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the charge gathering unit.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line VII-VII'of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view showing the vacuum and air passageways which lead to the gathering mold and the supporting means for the gathering unit.

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view of the blank and neck molds.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the position of the gathering mold and associated parts immediately after the charge severing operation.

Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view showing the finishing mold bottom plate and cam for controlling movement of said plate.

F 1g. 12 is a sectional view showing part of the means by which opening and closin of the finishing mold raises and lowers the ottom plate.

13 is a view diagrammatically illustratlng the general shape and relative positions of the cams and the cycle of operations of the mold groups.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an annular series of mold groups or units which are rotated continuously about a vertical axis and thereby moved in succession past a series of stations for the purpose of gathering mold charges by suction, transforming the charges into finished articles of glassware and finally ejecting the finished articles from the machine.

More specifically, the machine (Figs. 1 and 2) comprises a stationary central column 15 rising vertically from a 'base 16, rotatably supporting a mold carriage 17 or spider upon which an annular series of mold groups or units are supported. Rotary motion is imparted to the mold carriage 17 or spider byany suitable means through a pinion 18 running in mesh with a ring gear 19 fixed to the lower side of said carriage. Air and vacuum chambers 20 and 21, respectively, are formed in the base 16,'said chambers being circular in form and opening through the upper side of the base for communication with air and vacuum passageways 24 and 26 respectively, in the mold carriage or spider 17 as will be described presently. The central column 15 carries a series of stationary cams which control various operations of the mold groups as will appear hereinafter.

The mold carriage 17 or spider (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) includes a circular portion overlying the base 16 and formed with an annular series of radial extensions 22 or arms individual to and supporting the mold groups 23 or heads. An air passageway 24 extends lengthwise through the extension 22 and communicates at one end through a vertical port 25 at its inner end with the annular air chamber 20 in the base. A vacuum passageway 26 extending parallel with the airpassageway 24 (Fig. 1) communicates at its inner end through a vertical port 27 with the annular vacuum chamber 21 in said base. These air and vacuum passageways 24 and 26 respectively, as will be apparent, are in constant communication with the air and vacuum chambers in the base 16. The outer ends of these passageways 24 and 26 communicate with the mold cavities as will be described hereinafter.

Each of the annular series of mold groups "includes a partible blank mold 28 and neck mold 28a, both arranged for reciprocation as a unit along an inclined path extending radially of the machine, to alternately position them for gathering charges of glass from the supply body of glass in the tank T and transferring blanks or parisons to a finishing mold 29. Such movement of the blank and neck molds 28 is obtained by supporting the molds upon a movable blank mold carrier 32 (Fig. 2) which is arranged in a plane above and parallel with one of the radial extensions 22 of the mold carriage. This carrier is connected to the extension-22 through two pairs of parallel bars 33, which are pivoted at their upper ends to inner and outer shafts 34 and 34a respectively, on the carrier. These parallel bars are fulcrumed near their lower ends upon inner and outer shafts 35 and 35a respectively extending transversely of the mold carriage extension 22 and, at their extreme lower ends, are pivoted to a counterweight 36 which assists mechanism to be described, in moving the blank mold carrier 32 between charge gathering'and blank transfer positions. Movement of the parallel bars (Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive) for the purpose of reciprocating the blank mold carrier 32 between charge gathering and blank transfer positions is obtained by cam controlled rack and gear mechanism including a pair of gear segments 38 which are mounted upon the innermost shaft 35 and run in mesh with rack bars 39, the latter formed at the outer end of a slide 40 which carries a cam roll 41 running in a stationary cam 42. This cam 42 (Figs. 2 and 13) is so shaped that it causes radial movement of the blank mold 28 in two stages. First, in approaching the gathering station, the mold is projected a short distance and assumes the position shown in Fig. 10

due to the angular portion 43 (Fig. 13) of the dip cam 42. The mold is then further projected to the position shown in Fig. 2 by the angular portion 44 of said cam 42. Thus, the blank mold is projected to the charge gathering position at regular time intervals in a step-by-step fashion. Retraction of the mold is effected in a similar manner, the first step carrying the mold to a position substantially over the rim of the tank where a compacting blow is applied to the gathered mold charge. Next by resuming movement of the mold the blank or parison is carried to a finishing mold 29.

Each blank mold 28 is arranged below the outer end of a blank mold carrier 32 and comprises partible sections connected through arms 46 and U-shaped members 46a to a vertical hinge pin 45 suitably supported on the carrier 32. This hinge pin 45 extends vertically through said carrier and is connected directly to said U-shaped members 46a, which comprise part of the neck mold opening and closing means, the latter connected through rods 47 to a blank mold slide 48 which is reciprocated radially of the machine at regular time intervals to alternately open and close the blank mold. This blank mold slide 48 is mounted in slideways 49 on the upper side of the blank mold carrier 32 and carries a cam roll 50 which at regular time intervals enters a stationary cam 51 (Figs. 10 and 13) which is shaped to reciprocate the slide and. thereby alternately open and close the blank mold 28.

A neck mold 28a is arranged above each blank mold 28 between the latter and the lower face of the mold carrier 32 and comprises two sections connected through arms 52 to the hinge pin 45. This neck mold 28a (Fig. 9) is normally held closed by a spring device 53 connecting fingers 54 on the arms 52. Opening of the neck mold 28a is obtained by an additional opening movement of the blank mold 28 beyond that necessary to free the blank, whereby the U-shaped members 46a engage the fingers 54 on the neck mold arms 52, moving said fingers inwardly so that the neck mold 28a is opened sufiiciently to permit transfer of blank, of parison, to the finishing mold 29 which is arranged in a plane below said neck mold. A plunger 55 (Figs. 1, 2, and 6) is arranged to co-operate with the neck mold 28a in the formation of a neck or finish on the blank or parison, and

an initial blow opening in the upper end of the latter. This plunger 55 (Figs. 2 and 6) is secured to the lower end of a. plunger rod 56 which extends vertically through the blank mold carrier 32 and is suitably connected at its upper end to a bell crank lever 57 by which the plunger is alternately projected into and retracted from the neck mold cavity. This plunger operating lever 57 is pivoted to a horizontal hinge pin 58 at the upper end of a bracket 59 on the carrier 32 and is connected through a rod 60 to levers 61 and 61a, the latter pivoted to a hinge pin 62 on the blank mold carrier 32 and having a cam roll 63 at its lower end for engagement with a cam 64. This cam 64 is mounted on the upper end of one of the parallel bars 33. Rocking of the parallel bars or levers 33 about the shafts 35 and 35a imparts a corresponding movement to the cam 64 whereby the levers 61 and 61A are rocked to cause relative movement between the plunger 55 and neck mold 28a.

In the gathering of mold charges of molten glass the mold carrier 32 is projected radially to the'position shown in Fig. 2. A measured quantity of molten glass is drawn by suction into the blank and neck mold cavities by way of a vertical opening 65 in a cutoff knife 66, the latter carried by an arm 67 which is suitably connected to a vertical hinge pin 68 ]0lllnaled in a bearing 69 on one side of the blank mold carrier 32. Oscillation of the hinge in 68 at regular time intervals moves the knife 66 laterally relative to the blank mold 28 so that said knife assumes in succession three different positions relative to the blank mold. Such movement of the knife 66 (Fig. 3) is obtained by mechanism including an arm 70 on the upper end of the hinge pin 68 connected through a rod 71 to a lever 72 which is pivoted to the blank mold carrier 32 and carries a cam roll 73 (Fig. 8) at its lower end, said cam roll riding over a movable cam 74. This cam 74 is mounted on the upper end of one of the outermost parallel bars 33 and is moved relative to the cam roll 73 each time the corresponding gathering mold is projected or retracted with respect to the tank T. The first or normal position of the knife is at one side of the mold just prior to reaching the charge gathering station. This cam 74 is so shaped that when the blank mold is substantially above the edge or rim of the tank the cutoff knife 66 assumes its second position wherein it closes the lower end of the mold. Additional inward movement of the mold 28 causes relative movement between the cam 74 and the cam roll 73 whereby the knife 66 is moved toits third position to bring the vertical opening 65 therein into register with the blank mold cavity as shown in Fig. 2. A coil spring 75 (Figs. 2 and 10) exerts a constant pressure on the lever 72 tending to position the cutoff knife as shown in Fig. 2. As the blank mold is retracted from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 10, the cam 74 rocks the lever 72 so that the cutoff knife 66 assumes the position indicated in Fig. 10. This movement of the knife severs excess glass from the gathered mold charge and closes the mold preparatory to applying a compacting blow to the charge. Additional retractive movement of the mold causes contact between the high portion 76 of the cam 74 and the cam roll 73, resulting in lateral movement of the knife to one side of the mold as shown in Fig. 3.

Vacuum is applied to the blank mold and neck moldcavities while the blank mold is directly over the molten glass in the tank T for the purpose of exhausting air from said cavities and filling the latter with molten glass. This is accomplished by providing a vacuum chamber 77 (Figs. 6, 7, and 8) in the blank mold carrier 32 to which vacuum is applied by way of a conduit 78 in the rock shaft 34a whose outer end is in constant communication with a vacuum passageway 79 extending lengthwise of one of the parallel bars 33. This passageway 79 (Figs. 8 and 4) opens at its lower end into a conduit 80 in the shaft 35a (Fig. 4) and through this conduit constantly communicates with the vacuum chamber 26 in the extension 22 or arm on the mold carriage. Application of vacuum to the mold cavities is controlled and regulated by a valve 81 (Figs. 6 and 7) adapted to alternately open and close a port 82 connecting the vacuum chamber 77 and a chamber 83, the latter provided at the outer end of the blank mold carrier 32. Opening and closing of this valve 81 is obtained by mechanism including a rock er arm 84 pivoted to the hinge pin 58, and having one end constantly engaging the valve stem 86 while its other end contacts with a cam controlled push rod 87. A spring 88 normally exerts a closing pressure on the valve 81. The push rod 87 which opens the valve 81 so that vacuum may be applied to the chamber 83 and thenceito the mold cavities, is

slidingly supported in guides 89 on the blank mold carrier 32 and at its inner end carries a cam roll 90 designed for engagement with the vacuum control cams 91 and 91a in succession during the rotation of the mold car 'riage. The cam roll 90 first engages the cam 91 which moves the push rod 87 radially outward to open the valve 81 and later comes into contact with the cam 91a which returns the push rod 87 to its original position and allows the coil spring 88 to close said valve. The push rod 87 is yieldingly held against accidental lengthwise movement by a coil spring ,92 (Fig. 2) connecting the blank mold carrier and a rock arm 93 which is pivoted to a hinge pin 94 arranged directly above the point of connection between said coil spring and the blank mold carrier. Movement of the push rod to either of its extreme positions moves the coil spring to one side or the other of the axis of the hinge pin 94 (or past dead center) and thereby yieldingly holds the push rod against accidental movement.

After the application of vacuum to the mold cavities has been discontinued and the mold retracted so that the cutoff knife 66 is positioned substantially as shown in Fig. 10, air under pressure is applied to the blank or parison for the purpose of compacting the glass and giving the blank proper initial form, it being understood that such movement of the mold causes removal of the plunger from contact with the glass, so that air pressure may be applied to the interior of the blank through the initial blow opening formed by said plunger. Air under pressure is supplied to the chamber 83 (Figs. 6, 7, and 8) from a chamber 95 which is provided in the blank mold carrier 32 and communicates with said chamber 83 by way of a valve port 96. This air pressure chamber 95 (Figs. 7 and 8) constantly communicates with an axial opening 97 in the shaft 34a, said opening in turn leading to a conduit 98 (Figs. 4 and 8) whose lower end is at all times in direct communication with an opening 99 extending lengthwise of the outermost shaft 35. This opening 99 (Figs. 4 and 5) leads to the air supply chamber 24 in the radial extension 22 on the mold carriage and constantly com municates with said chamber so that air under pressure is maintained at all times in said conduits and passageways up to the valved port 96.

Flow of air under pressure into the chamber 83 is controlled and regulated by a valve 100 which is normally closed by a coil spring 101 and is actuated in much the same fashion as the vacuum valve 81. The valve stem 102 is at all times in contact with a rocker arm 103 which in turn constantly engages a push rod 104 mounted for sliding movement on the blank mold carrier 32. This push rod 104 is slidingly supported in guides 105 and at its inner end carries a cam roll 106 designed for successive engagement with stationary cams 107 and 107 a. These cams (Fig. 1) are spaced apart so that one operates to move the push rod 104 radially outward for the purpose of opening the valve 100 and then the other retracts said rod so that the valve may be closed under influence of the coil spring 101. The

spaced relation between the cams 107 and 107a determines the duration of the period of application of air under pressure to the glass in the blank molds and may be varied to suit different operating conditions. Incidentally such variations may also be made in the spaced relation between the vacuum control cams (91 and 91a) when desired. A coil spring 108 functioning in the same manner as the coil spring 92 yieldingly holds the push rod 104 in its two extreme positions.

The finishing mold 29 of each mold group 23 or head is arranged beneath the blank mold carrier 32 at the inner end of the path of movement of the blank mold 28, and is mounted on a table 109 supported above the radial extension 22 on uprights 110. Each finishing mold 29 (Fig. 2') comprises two sections pivoted to a vertical hinge pin 111, the latter extending upwardly from a vertically adjustable mold carrier 112. This mold carrier is mounted in a vertical slideway 113 and is provided with a rack bar 114 which runs in mesh with a worm 115, the latter carried by a vertical shaft 116 (Figs. 2 and 3) which may be rotated by operation of a hand wheel 117 carried by a horizontal shaft which is operatively connected to the vertical shaft 116 through meshing bevel gears 118. By manipulation of the hand wheel 117, the finishing mold carrier 112 may be raised or lowered any predetermined extent as required by the ware being produced and different heights of finishing molds. A tilting bottom plate 119 (Figs. 2, 10 and 11) is pivoted to a horizontal hinge pin 120 on the finishing mold carrier 112. A rock arm 121 carried by the bottom plate holder 122 comprises part of means for raising and lowering the bottom plate. A curved cam 123 is suitably connected to the lower arm of one of the finishing mold sections for engagement with the rock arm 121, said cam being of such shape that when the finishing mold opens, the rock arm is free to swing inwardly, thereby allowing the bottom plate to tilt as illustrated in Fig. 10 for the purpose of discharging a finished article into the chute C. During closing of the finishing mold.29, the cam 123 engages the rock arm 121, causing the bottom plate to assume a horizontal position just prior to complete closing of the finishing mold, with the result that when the mold closes, the bottom plate is positioned as shown in Figs. 2 and 11.

Alternate opening and closing of the finishing mold is obtained by mechanism including a slide 125 (Fig. 2) connected at its outer end through links 126 to the finishing mold arms, and carrying at its inner end a cam roll 127 which rides in a stationary cam 128 shaped to open and close the finishing molds at regular time intervals.

In operation, the mold carriage is rotated continuously about the central column 15 so that the mold groups 23 or heads are brought in succession to a position adjacent to the tank T which contains the supply body of molten glass. As a mold group or head approaches the opening in the tank, the cam 42 (Figs. 2 and 13) operates through the slide 40 and parallel bars 33 or arms to project the blank mold carrier 32 radially to a position in which the blank mold 28 and cutoff knife 66 are relatively disposed as illustrated in Fig. 10. When the mold group is directly opposite one end of the opening in the tank, the angular portion 44 of the cam 42 (Fig. 13) imparts an additional outward movement to the slide 40 whereby the blank mold 28 and cutoff knife 66 are moved into charge gathering position (Fig. 2) wherein the knife is in contact with the molten glass. Vacuum is applied tothe blank and neck mold cavities by opening the valve 81 (Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7) to draw a mold charge of glass into the mold. Upon complete filling of the blank and neck mold cavities, the valve 81 is closed to discontinue application of vacuum and the cam 42 then operates to move the blank mold and its carrier to the position shown in Fig. 10. During such retractive movement, the cam 74 has caused lateral movement of the knife across the lowor end of the blank mold 28 to sever excess glass from the mold charge and has positioned the knife to close the bottom of the mold preparatory to application of a compression or compacting blow through theneck mold. This compression blow is controlled and regulated by the cams 107 and 107a (Figs. 1 and 13) which alternately open and close the valve 100 (Fig. 7) at regular time intervals. Upon completion of the compression blow, the cam 51 operates through the slide 48 to open the blank mold 28, the cutoff knife 66 being retained in contact with. the lower end of the blank and incidentally preventing excessive elongation of the latter.

The blank which is now suspended from the neck mold 28a and in part supported by the knife, is transferred to the finishing mold by an additional retractive movement of the blank mold carrier 32 which carries the neck mold 28a and blank radially inward along a curved path until the neck mold is over and in register with the finishing mold. Just prior to completion of the retractive movement of the blank mold carrier 32, the cutoff knife 66 is swung to one side of the blank or parison by action of the cam 7% so that the finishing mold 29 may close about the blank without interference. After the finishing mold has completely closed about the blank,a cam 130 (Figs. 3 and 13) on'the central column 15 operating similarly to the cam 107 opens the air pressure control valve 100 so that air under pressure is introduced into the finishing mold and expands the blank therein. A cam 131, corresponding insofar as function is concerned to the cam 107a, causes closing of the valve 100 at a pre determined point so that application of blowing air to the finishing mold is discontinued. Upon completion of final expansion of the blank in the finishing mold, which occurs just prior to projection of the blank mold to the position shown in Fig. 10, the blank mold is additionally opened by means of a short cam 132 (Figs. 3 and 13) which engages the cam roll 50 on the slide 48 and moves the latter radially inward, causing engagement between the U-shaped members 46a and the fingers 54 on the neck mold arms 52.

While the neck mold 28a is open, the blank mold carrier 32 is moved radially outward and upward from the blank transfer position (Fig. 3) to the position shown in Fig.

10 and while in the latter position an angular portion 133 at one end of the cam 51 (Figs. 10 and 13) moves the slide 48 radially outward and closes both the blank and neck molds 28 and 28a.

The finishing mold 29 is opened just after it passes the charge gathering station and prior to retraction of the blank mold from the position shown in Fig. 10 to the transfer position illustrated in Fig. 3. The bottom plate 119 is tilted by gravity when the finishing mold opens and the completed article is thereby discharged into the chute C. which may direct the finished articles to a conveyor or the like.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a glassware forming machine, the combination of a rotary mold carriage, a mold group including a partible finishing mold, a blank and neck moldcarrier arranged in a plane above the finishing mold, partible co-operating blank and neck molds on said carrier, a set of vertically disposed parallel bars forming a pivotal connection between the blank and neck mold carrier and themold carriage, a continuous stationary cam and rack and pinion mechanism operated thereby for moving said bars and thereby reciprocating said carrier along an arcuate path extending radially of the machine between ch'arge gathering and blank transferring positions, means to deliver a mold charge'of molten glass to the blank and neck molds while the latter occupy one position to form a parison in said molds, means for transferring the parison to the finishing mold, means for expanding the parison in said mold, and means for discharging the expanded parison from the finishing mold.

2. In a glassware forming machine, a mold carriage, a partible finishing mold thereon, a blank mold carrier arranged above the finishing mold, a set of upwardly extending parallel bars providing pivotal connection between the carrier and said mold carriage, partible blank and neck molds supportedon the blank mold carrier, means for rocking said parallel bars to thereby reciprocate the blank mold carrier along a vertically curved path and alternately placing the blank and neck molds in charge gathering and blank transfer positions, and means for alternately applying vacuum and air pressure to the blank and neck mold cavities, including pas sageways through certain of the parallel bars and valved passageways in the blank mold carrier.

3. In a glassware forming machine, the

' combination of a rotary mold carriage having a radial extension, a pair of horizontal hinge pins disposed tangent to the path of travel of the mold carriage and spaced apart radially on the extension, a set of parallel bars pivoted between their ends to the opposite ends of one of the hinge pins and extending in a substantially vertical plane, a blank mold carrier mounted at the upper end of the said bars, a partible blank mold pivoted to the lower side of the mold carrier, a plunger and pivoted cut-ofi' knife associated with the mold, cams arranged at the points of connection between the mold carrier and parallel bars, means actuated by movement of said cams to operate the plunger and cut-off knife, means for oscillating the parallel bars to thereby alternately place the blank mold in .2 charge gathering and blank transferring positions, and a partible finishing mold mounted on the mold carriage at the blank transferring position.

4. In a glassware forming machine, the

2 combination of a rotary mold carriage, a

mold group on said carriage including a radial extension on the carriage, a set of parallel bars extending substantially vertically and pivoted between their ends to the extension, a blank mold carrier extending radially of the carriage in a horizontal plane and pivoted to the upper ends of said bars, a suction blank mold suspended from the outer end of the carrier, means including a rack and pinion mechanism for rocking the parallel bars and thereby alternately placing the blank mold in charge gathering and blank transferring positions, a finishing mold mounted on the rotary mold carriage, means for applying vacuum and air under pressure to the blank mold, control means regulating the application of vacuum and air and including slidable operating rods extending lengthwise over the mold carrier, and sta- 4.5 tionary cams arranged for periodic engagement with said rods.

Signed at Toledo, Ohio, this 30th day of October, 1929.

LEONARD D. SOUBIER. 

